Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Paris St-Germain beat Metz to move two points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
The 22-year-old controlled Ander Herrera’s ball over the top and raced clear of the Metz defence before slotting in a fourth-minute opener.
Fabien Centonze responded for the hosts with a header one minute into the second half, but Mbappe’s deflected 20-yard strike restored PSG’s lead.
Substitute Mauro Icardi won and then scored a late penalty to seal victory.
After his double on Saturday, France international Mbappe has scored 25 goals in 29 Ligue 1 appearances this season – and 37 goals in 42 games across all competitions for PSG in 2020-21.
Icardi, meanwhile, was introduced with nine minutes remaining but was still able to improve on a week which also featured a hat-trick on Wednesday, as Mauricio Pochettino’s side progressed to the French Cup semi-finals by thrashing Angers.
The result means five points separate the top four in a tight Ligue 1 title race, however Pochettino’s leaders – crowned champions in seven of the past eight seasons – have played a game more than their rivals.
Three-time champions Lille, in second, can return top with victory at fourth-placed Lyon on Sunday (20:00 BST) in a key fixture at the summit.
Next up for PSG is a Champions League semi-final first leg against Premier League leaders Manchester City at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday at 20:00.
Line-ups
Metz
Formation 3-5-1-1
- 16Oukidja
- 2Bronn
- 23Kouyate
- 21Boye
- 18Centonze
- 15Sarr
- 19MaïgaSubstituted forDias Gonçalvesat 87′minutes
- 5AngbanBooked at 15minsSubstituted forN’Doramat 68′minutes
- 17DelaineSubstituted forUdolat 87′minutes
- 10BoulayaSubstituted forYadeat 87′minutes
- 24Leya IsekaSubstituted forNianeat 68′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Udol
- 4N’Doram
- 6Fofana
- 7Niane
- 13Gueye
- 22Maziz
- 26Yade
- 27Dias Gonçalves
- 30Caillard
PSG
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Navas
- 24Florenzi
- 4Kehrer
- 3Kimpembe
- 20KurzawaBooked at 60minsSubstituted forBakkerat 64′minutes
- 21HerreraBooked at 79mins
- 8Paredes
- 6VerrattiBooked at 37mins
- 19SarabiaSubstituted forDi Maríaat 65′minutes
- 7MbappéBooked at 58minsSubstituted forDraxlerat 87′minutes
- 10NeymarSubstituted forIcardiat 81′minutes
Substitutes
- 9Icardi
- 11Di María
- 15Danilo
- 16Rico
- 18Kean
- 23Draxler
- 25Bakker
- 27Gueye
- 31Dagba
Live Text
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Match ends, Metz 1, Paris Saint Germain 3.
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Second Half ends, Metz 1, Paris Saint Germain 3.
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Foul by Mitchel Bakker (Paris Saint Germain).
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Vágner Dias (Metz) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Goal! Metz 1, Paris Saint Germain 3. Mauro Icardi (Paris Saint Germain) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the centre of the goal.
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Penalty Paris Saint Germain. Mauro Icardi draws a foul in the penalty area.
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Penalty conceded by Dylan Bronn (Metz) after a foul in the penalty area.
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Substitution, Paris Saint Germain. Julian Draxler replaces Kylian Mbappé because of an injury.
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Substitution, Metz. Papa Ndiaga Yade replaces Farid Boulaya.
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Substitution, Metz. Matthieu Udol replaces Thomas Delaine.
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Substitution, Metz. Vágner Dias replaces Habib Maïga.
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Attempt missed. Pape Sarr (Metz) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ibrahima Niane.
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Corner, Paris Saint Germain. Conceded by John Boye.
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Ander Herrera (Paris Saint Germain) hits the bar with a right footed shot from the centre of the box. Assisted by Mauro Icardi with a headed pass following a corner.
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Substitution, Paris Saint Germain. Mauro Icardi replaces Neymar.
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Corner, Paris Saint Germain. Conceded by Farid Boulaya.
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Attempt blocked. Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint Germain) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Neymar.
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Ander Herrera (Paris Saint Germain) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Ander Herrera (Paris Saint Germain).
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Farid Boulaya (Metz) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
